Garrett Nussmeier Explains Forgoing NFL Draft to Stay at LSU in Netflix's SEC Series

Perhaps nothing will be more important for LSU's 2025 season than a decision made in 2024, and Netflix was behind the scenes as quarterback Garrett Nussmeier mulled over his NFL future.

"I've been dreaming about playing in the NFL since I was a kid," he said in a clip on Netflix's SEC Football: Any Given Saturday. "When you have that opportunity right in front of you, it's hard to have the trust to say, 'nah, I'm not ready yet' or 'nah, I'm going to come back one more year.'"

He also discussed his future with teammate Whit Weeks during the clip, and it was clear the linebacker wanted Nussmeier to return.

"The thought of losing Nuss, it's like, if we lost Nuss you're obviously not only losing your quarterback, you're losing your leader. … I just told him, 'dude, if you come back, we're winning the natty.' There's no doubt in my mind that next year is LSU's year."

Nussmeier ultimately did come back and didn't even wait until the offseason to make his decision.

On Dec. 11, 2024, and ahead of LSU's Texas Bowl matchup against Baylor, the star quarterback announced he would return for the 2025 season and forego the NFL draft:

"I feel like my time at LSU is not over," he said. "I'm officially announcing that I'm returning for my final year of eligibility, and I am fully committed to bringing this university a championship. My teammates, coaches and fans will get the absolute best out of me every single day."

All he did from there was lead the Tigers to victory over Baylor while throwing for 313 yards and three touchdowns.

It may prove to be a fruitful decision if he thrives in 2025, as NFL draft expert Todd McShay projected Nussmeier as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft in April.

And he will have every opportunity to prove himself against impressive competition, as LSU starts the 2025 campaign on the road against Clemson before a conference slate that includes games against Florida, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Alabama and Oklahoma.

An impressive final collegiate season launching his NFL career would be quite the way for Nussmeier to end a lengthy career at LSU. He joined the Tigers as a 4-star prospect in the recruiting class of 2021, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and passed up the opportunity to transfer elsewhere while backing up Jayden Daniels.

He then became the starter in 2024 and responded by completing 64.2 percent of his passes for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while adding three scores as a runner.

It set the stage for what promises to be an exciting and pressure-packed 2025 season as he chases the title Weeks predicted.